HalitosisNCT07740876
Effect of Dental Education Duration on Halitosis and Associated Factors
An observational study of Halitosis and Dentistry, run by Recep Tayyip Erdogan University Training and Research Hospital at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
The study population will consist of undergraduate dental students enrolled at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Faculty of Dentistry. A total of 100 students, including 50 first-year and 50 fifth-year dental students, will be included. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 25 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- How many people
- 100 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 15 Sep 2026to 15 Nov 2026
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 25 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Study population: The study population will consist of undergraduate dental students enrolled at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Faculty of Dentistry. A total of 100 students, including 50 first-year and 50 fifth-year dental students, will be included in this cross-sectional observational study. Eligible participants will be healthy students who meet the inclusion criteria and provide written informed consent. The study aims to evaluate the relationship between duration of dental education and halitosis by comparing objective and subjective halitosis measurements, including organoleptic assessment, volatile sulfur compound (VSC) measurements using a portable digital halitometer, halitosis perception questionnaires, tongue coating index, DMFT index, and perceived stress levels.
Who may be able to join
- Undergraduate students enrolled in the Faculty of Dentistry at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University.
- First-year and fifth-year dental students who agree to participate in the study and provide written informed consent.
- Healthy students with no systemic diseases affecting oral health or halitosis assessment.
- Students with normal nasal breathing ability.
- Participants who comply with the pre-assessment instructions required for accurate halitosis measurements.
- Participants who are able to complete the questionnaires and clinical evaluation procedures.
Who cannot join
- Students with systemic diseases that may affect halitosis, including diabetes mellitus, respiratory disorders, liver cirrhosis, chronic renal failure, or gastrointestinal disorders.
- Participants with active upper respiratory tract infection, sinusitis, tonsilloliths, or other conditions affecting oral odor.
- Participants with a history of antibiotic use within the previous 3 weeks.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding students.
- Students unwilling to provide written informed consent.
- Students receiving active orthodontic treatment or requiring orthognathic treatment.
- Participants unable to comply with the pre-assessment restrictions (dietary restrictions, oral hygiene restrictions, smoking and product-use restrictions) before halitosis evaluation.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Assessment of the Relationship Between Duration of Dental Education and Halitosis, Oral Hygiene Behaviors, and Associated Factors Among Dental Students
The study population will consist of undergraduate dental students enrolled at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Faculty of Dentistry. A total of 100 students, including 50 first-year and 50 fifth-year dental students, will be included. Eligible participants will be healthy students who meet the study criteria and provide written informed consent. Participants will undergo subjective and objective halitosis assessments, including questionnaires, organoleptic evaluation, volatile sulfur compound measurements, tongue coating assessment, and DMFT index recording.
Read the detailed description
Halitosis, also known as oral malodor, is a multifactorial condition primarily associated with volatile sulfur compounds produced by bacterial metabolism in the oral cavity. Although previous studies have investigated factors related to halitosis, limited information is available regarding the influence of dental education duration on objective halitosis measurements and associated behavioral and psychological factors.
This study will compare first-year and fifth-year dental students to evaluate whether the duration of dental education is associated with differences in halitosis levels. Objective measurements, including organoleptic assessment and portable digital halitometer measurements of volatile sulfur compounds, will be combined with subjective assessments of halitosis perception, oral hygiene habits, perceived stress levels, tongue coating index, and DMFT index.
The findings of this study may contribute to understanding the relationship between dental education, oral health awareness, lifestyle behaviors, psychological factors, and halitosis among future dental professionals.
- Medical subject headings
- Halitosis
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| First-Year Dental Students | Participants in this cohort are undergraduate dental students in their first year of dental education at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Faculty of Dentistry. This cohort represents students at the beginning of their dental education. Participants will undergo halitosis assessment using subjective and objective evaluation methods, including halitosis questionnaire, organoleptic assessment, portable digital halitometer measurement of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), tongue coating index evaluation, and DMFT index recording. Perceived stress levels will also be evaluated using the Perceived Stress Scale. No intervention will be applied. | |
| Fifth-Year Dental Students | Participants in this cohort are undergraduate dental students in their fifth year of dental education at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Faculty of Dentistry. This cohort represents students with advanced dental education and clinical training experience. Participants will undergo halitosis assessment using subjective and objective evaluation methods, including halitosis questionnaire, organoleptic assessment, portable digital halitometer measurement of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), tongue coating index evaluation, and DMFT index recording. Perceived stress levels will also be evaluated using the Perceived Stress Scale. No intervention will be applied. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Halitosis Level Assessed by Organoleptic Evaluation
Halitosis level will be assessed using the organoleptic evaluation method performed by two trained evaluators. The perceived odor intensity will be scored according to a standardized 0-5 scale: 0 = no odor, 1 = barely noticeable odor, 2 = slight but noticeable odor, 3 = moderate odor, 4 = strong odor, and 5 = extremely strong odor. The mean score of the two evaluators will be recorded as the organoleptic halitosis score. A score of ≥2 will be considered indicative of halitosis.
Measured: Baseline
Volatile Sulfur Compound (VSC) Levels Measured by Portable Digital Halitometer
Exhaled breath volatile sulfur compound (VSC) levels will be measured using a portable digital halitometer. Three measurements will be obtained from each participant, and the mean value will be recorded in parts per billion (ppb). Values ≥125 ppb will be considered indicative of halitosis.
Measured: Baseline
Self-Perceived Halitosis Level Assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Participants' self-perception of oral malodor will be evaluated using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no perceived halitosis and 10 indicates severe perceived halitosis.
Measured: Baseline
Secondary outcomes (3)
Perceived Stress Level Assessed by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)
Participants' perceived stress levels will be evaluated using the Turkish validated version of the Perceived Stress Scale. The scale consists of 8 items scored on a 5-point Likert scale, with total scores ranging from 0 to 32. Higher scores indicate higher perceived stress levels.
Measured: Baseline
Tongue Coating Index (TCI)
Tongue coating will be evaluated visually on the dorsal surface of the tongue using the Tongue Coating Index. Scores range from 0 to 3: 0 = no coating, 1 = coating covering less than one-third of the tongue surface, 2 = coating covering less than two-thirds, and 3 = coating covering more than two-thirds of the tongue surface.
Measured: Baseline
Dental Caries Experience Assessed by DMFT Index
Dental caries experience will be assessed using the DMFT index, which records the number of decayed (D), missing due to caries (M), and filled (F) teeth. The total DMFT score will be calculated as D + M + F.
Measured: Baseline
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted3 Aug 2026
- Study start15 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion30 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion15 Nov 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for HalitosisStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 100 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Recep Tayyip Erdogan University Training and Research Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, DİLARA NİL GÜNAÇAR, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University Training and Research Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07740876
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2026/313
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 28 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 3 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 3 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Assessment of the Relationship Between Duration of Dental Education and Halitosis, Oral Hygiene Behaviors, and Associated Factors Among Dental Students
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07740876
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2026/313
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 100 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Recep Tayyip Erdogan University Training and Research HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 30 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 15 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 3 Aug 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The study population will consist of undergraduate dental students enrolled at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Faculty of Dentistry. A total of 100 students, including 50 first-year and 50 fifth-year dental students, will be included. Eligible participants will be healthy students who meet the study criteria and provide written informed consent. Participants will undergo subjective and objective halitosis assessments, including questionnaires, organoleptic evaluation, volatile sulfur compound measurements, tongue coating assessment, and DMFT index recording.
Detailed description
Halitosis, also known as oral malodor, is a multifactorial condition primarily associated with volatile sulfur compounds produced by bacterial metabolism in the oral cavity. Although previous studies have investigated factors related to halitosis, limited information is available regarding the influence of dental education duration on objective halitosis measurements and associated behavioral and psychological factors.
This study will compare first-year and fifth-year dental students to evaluate whether the duration of dental education is associated with differences in halitosis levels. Objective measurements, including organoleptic assessment and portable digital halitometer measurements of volatile sulfur compounds, will be combined with subjective assessments of halitosis perception, oral hygiene habits, perceived stress levels, tongue coating index, and DMFT index.
The findings of this study may contribute to understanding the relationship between dental education, oral health awareness, lifestyle behaviors, psychological factors, and halitosis among future dental professionals.
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| First-Year Dental Students | – | –Participants in this cohort are undergraduate dental students in their first year of dental education at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Faculty of Dentistry. This cohort represents students at the beginning of their dental education. Participants will undergo halitosis assessment using subjective and objective evaluation methods, including halitosis questionnaire, organoleptic assessment, portable digital halitometer measurement of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), tongue coating index evaluation, and DMFT index recording. Perceived stress levels will also be evaluated using the Perceived Stress Scale. No intervention will be applied. |
| Fifth-Year Dental Students | – | –Participants in this cohort are undergraduate dental students in their fifth year of dental education at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Faculty of Dentistry. This cohort represents students with advanced dental education and clinical training experience. Participants will undergo halitosis assessment using subjective and objective evaluation methods, including halitosis questionnaire, organoleptic assessment, portable digital halitometer measurement of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), tongue coating index evaluation, and DMFT index recording. Perceived stress levels will also be evaluated using the Perceived Stress Scale. No intervention will be applied. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 25 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
- Study population
- The study population will consist of undergraduate dental students enrolled at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Faculty of Dentistry. A total of 100 students, including 50 first-year and 50 fifth-year dental students, will be included in this cross-sectional observational study. Eligible participants will be healthy students who meet the inclusion criteria and provide written informed consent. The study aims to evaluate the relationship between duration of dental education and halitosis by comparing objective and subjective halitosis measurements, including organoleptic assessment, volatile sulfur compound (VSC) measurements using a portable digital halitometer, halitosis perception questionnaires, tongue coating index, DMFT index, and perceived stress levels.
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Undergraduate students enrolled in the Faculty of Dentistry at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University.
- First-year and fifth-year dental students who agree to participate in the study and provide written informed consent.
- Healthy students with no systemic diseases affecting oral health or halitosis assessment.
- Students with normal nasal breathing ability.
- Participants who comply with the pre-assessment instructions required for accurate halitosis measurements.
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Students with systemic diseases that may affect halitosis, including diabetes mellitus, respiratory disorders, liver cirrhosis, chronic renal failure, or gastrointestinal disorders.
- Participants with active upper respiratory tract infection, sinusitis, tonsilloliths, or other conditions affecting oral odor.
- Participants with a history of antibiotic use within the previous 3 weeks.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding students.
- Students unwilling to provide written informed consent.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Halitosis Level Assessed by Organoleptic Evaluation
Time frame: Baseline
Halitosis level will be assessed using the organoleptic evaluation method performed by two trained evaluators. The perceived odor intensity will be scored according to a standardized 0-5 scale: 0 = no odor, 1 = barely noticeable odor, 2 = slight but noticeable odor, 3 = moderate odor, 4 = strong odor, and 5 = extremely strong odor. The mean score of the two evaluators will be recorded as the organoleptic halitosis score. A score of ≥2 will be considered indicative of halitosis.
Volatile Sulfur Compound (VSC) Levels Measured by Portable Digital Halitometer
Time frame: Baseline
Exhaled breath volatile sulfur compound (VSC) levels will be measured using a portable digital halitometer. Three measurements will be obtained from each participant, and the mean value will be recorded in parts per billion (ppb). Values ≥125 ppb will be considered indicative of halitosis.
Self-Perceived Halitosis Level Assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Time frame: Baseline
Participants' self-perception of oral malodor will be evaluated using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no perceived halitosis and 10 indicates severe perceived halitosis.
3 secondary outcomes
Perceived Stress Level Assessed by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)
Time frame: Baseline
Tongue Coating Index (TCI)
Time frame: Baseline
Dental Caries Experience Assessed by DMFT Index
Time frame: Baseline
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 3 Aug 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Halitosis and Dentistry, run by Recep Tayyip Erdogan University Training and Research Hospital at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 3 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Dilara Nil GÜNAÇAR (+905412940104, dilaranil.tomrukcu@erdogan.edu.tr), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Halitosis Level Assessed by Organoleptic Evaluation (time frame: Baseline). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 3 Aug 2026.